Universal signs deal with Chinese partners to open theme park in Beijing in 2019

Chinese state media is reporting that Universal Studios has signed a deal with a Chinese state-owned consortium to build a Hollywood theme park in Beijing to open in 2019.

The reports say a signing ceremony for the joint venture took place Sunday at the New York headquarters of Comcast NBCUniversal, which owns Universal Studios Hollywood.

Universal Parks & Resorts, a Comcast unit, is partnering with Beijing Shouhuan Cultural Tourism Investment Co. Ltd. to invest in and operate the project.

State media said a ceremony to mark the signing of the joint venture agreement was attended by Brian L. Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast Corp. and Shouhuan's general manager, Yu Xuezhong, among others.

Plans for the theme park were first announced in 2014.